13 February 2025
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we’ve been speaking with Maisy, a 19-year-old apprentice at The FirstPort Group. Maisy shares her experience working as an apprentice in property management – balancing work life and education, whilst also gaining crucial skills and confidence in the workplace.
Maisy came across an apprenticeship opportunity at FirstPort last year whilst working as a personal trainer. Although she admits she never imagined herself in the property management sector, the role of Property Services Specialist Apprentice caught her attention. She applied, got the role, and quickly found herself enjoying working as an apprentice at FirstPort.
Balancing work and learning
Maisy’s apprenticeship combines practical work experience with structured learning. Each week, she gets six hours to complete her portfolio work, splitting the time as needed to ensure she can work towards her qualification in Business Administration. Additionally, once a month, she attends an apprenticeship training centre, which is conveniently located just a two-minute walk from her office.
At FirstPort’s Birmingham office, Maisy is part of a team of 6 apprentices. “We all help each other, and we’ve got a really supportive environment”, she says.
Learning about property management
Before joining FirstPort, Maisy didn’t know much about property management. She said: “I always had an interest in property, but I never really knew what a property manager did. There’s so much more to it than you think.” The apprenticeship has given Maisy an opportunity to learn more about the complexities of the industry whilst growing her skills and knowledge.
Her confidence has also grown as a result. Maisy explains: “It was really difficult at first because property management is complicated and having the confidence to explain things clearly was daunting. But as I learn more and continue in the job, I am more confident on the phone and speaking directly to customers than I ever have been before.”
Maisy says she has gained valuable experience in teamwork, independence, and problem-solving. “Before working here, I had never worked in a team, but now I see how important it is. Our team is really close-knit, and our manager is amazing. We all support each other.”
A career in property management
Maisy’s apprenticeship lasts 18 months, with an endpoint assessment after 12 months. FirstPort provides clear career pathways, and Maisy is excited about the potential to move into different areas of the business. She explains: “There’s a career plan in place for apprentices, which means there are plenty of opportunities to grow.
“Once we’ve completed the qualification, we also have the basics to branch off into various roles. The training is really accessible, and if you want to progress, the opportunities are there. It’s a great start to a career. Even though it is difficult at first because there’s so much to learn, once you find your routine, it becomes straightforward.”
The Property Services Specialist apprenticeship is provided in partnership with Protocol Consultancy Services, which works with businesses to offer training programmes to apprentices, supporting learners with skills growth and education whilst they earn a wage.
Emma Whitehouse, Senior Head of HR at FirstPort, explains that apprenticeships are essential for developing the next generation of talent in the property industry, adding: “Apprenticeships provide a unique opportunity for people to gain hands-on experience while building essential skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
“It’s important to us that we offer structured training and career progression pathways so apprentices like Maisy are equipped with the knowledge to thrive in a dynamic and rewarding industry.”
Advice for future apprentices
For anyone considering an apprenticeship at FirstPort, Maisy encourages them to give it a try. “Apprenticeships work for so many different types of people. My colleagues and I all have completely different backgrounds and lifestyles, but it just works for us.”
Maisy believes apprenticeships offer a perfect alternative to traditional education. She explains: “I didn’t want to go to university. I’d rather be learning, earning money, and gaining work experience at the same time. And if you find that the job isn’t for you, you can always move on. But at least you’ll have gained valuable experience along the way.”
If you are inspired by Maisy’s story and would like to explore a career at FirstPort, head over to the FirstPort careers page or contact: careers@firstport.co.uk
